Steak And The Game At Wolfley’s Neighborhood Grill

By now it no secret that I am a food junkie, but let it be known that I am a sports junkie as well—  and I am excited that the Phoenix Suns are in full swing! I’m not going to start any arguments regarding their record or skill this season because regardless of how they are playing, there are few things I enjoy more than a sports bar full of local fans — good food and great service. Sound too good to be true? Look no further! Wolfley’s at Desert Ridge has all of this and more.

Now don’t get me wrong, sometimes I like the small, family-owned corner joints as much as the next person, but Wolfley’s offers a fun, family-friendly atmosphere for all to enjoy — not to mention a large, trendy patio equipped with cornhole for friendly competition.

Owner, Ron Wolfley, is a four-time Pro Bowl player, sports talk-show host and commentator for the Arizona Cardinals. He has done a great job of combining the enjoyment of 27 HD screens with the modern décor Phoenix clientele have come to expect. Even if you are not a sports fan, Wolfley’s has enough charm to win you over.

Décor and atmosphere, check. Now on to the food. As many of you know, when it comes to sports bars, you often have to choose between the right atmosphere to enjoy the game and food quality. It is rare that a restaurant can provide both, but Wolfley’s has done just that.

We visited on a Monday night during happy hour. They provide a nice selection of $3-$5 dollar options with both food and drink options. Additionally, we found out Monday is their 20 percent off of any steak special. I have to also mention that their menu is very robust. They offer things from your typical appetizers to family platters, build your own burgers and pizza.

Appetizer

In true bar food fashion, we started with the basics: artichoke dip ($8.75) and wings ($8.95).

The artichoke dip is what you expect. It was hot, the chips were fresh, and the taste was good. The wings were a step above the norm. We ordered the honey gold and mild. The wings were large, and the sauce was great.

Entrée

I decided that I would take advantage of the steak special. I ordered the New York Strip ($19.95). The steak was good. I can’t honestly say that it was better than others elsewhere; but it was cooked perfectly, and the accompanying vegetables and side salad complemented everything nicely.

Dessert

Sorry folks, happy hour drinks, two appetizers and a steak had me wanting to sneakily unbutton my jeans! Both the server and bartender did a great job of describing their dessert options and suggested their favorites.

All in all, it was a great visit. The vast menu is a plus for the customers but did seem to be a bit overwhelming to our server. To her credit, the answers that she didn’t have she quickly found out for us. I would recommend Wolfley’s for a night out with friends or a good option when you want to catch the game and bring your children at the same time. Now, if I could just get better at cornhole …

Wolfley’s Rating:

Food: 4 out of 5
Atmosphere: 5 out of 5
Service: 4 out of 5